The Philippines has been praised by nations around the world, because it is the first country to have dared (under Art. 287 and Annex VII of UNCLOS) to take China to the court. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Japanese Ambassador Kazuhide Ishikawa formally signed on Monday an agreement on the transfer of defense equipment and technology. The agreement, the first country with which Tokyo concluded such an agreement, will provide a framework for Japan to transfer defense equipment and technology to the Philippines.

Barcelo, V. (2016, March 1). DFA: China wants to be above the law. Manila Standard, p. A4.